Pier adjusting mechanism and method for facilitating the adjusting and leveling of a pier platform

ABSTRACT

A pier or dock adjustment method permits adjustment of a height of a pier platform relative to a pier structure, the pier structure including at least a first post. The method includes the step of providing a platform height adjustment apparatus, the platform height adjustment apparatus including a platform support member and a height positioning mechanism. The platform height adjustment apparatus is slidably mounted on the first post. The post position of the platform height adjustment apparatus is fixed relative to the first post, the post position being situated above and proximate the pier platform. The platform support member is moved into a platform supporting position relative to the platform. The height positioning mechanism is actuated to thereby one of lower and lift the pier platform.

CONTINUING DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and hereby claims thebenefit of, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/230,742 filed on Aug. 29, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pier or dock adjusting mechanism, andspecifically to a manually-operable lift device attachable to a piersupport post for lifting and/or lowering of a pier platform.

2. Description of the Related Art

Piers are commonly used to provide a structure that allows people to beable to walk a distance from a shore out over a body of water, such as alake or river. Such a pier typically includes a pier platform/pierplanking upon which people can walk and a structure for supporting sucha pier platform over the water. Over time, effects such as shifting ofthe pier support structure itself, shifting of the pier relative to theground or subsurface in which it is mounted, and/or a change in waterlevel may dictate a need to adjust the position of the pier platform.

Currently, such an adjustment can often require several people gettinginto the water to lift the pier platform and unload the pier structure,while one or more people adjust the positioning of the pier structure toachieve the needed pier placement adjustments. The reason that severalpeople can be required to do the lifting of the pier platform is thatthe pier platform, depending on the size and length can weigh up toseveral hundred pounds. To possibly make matters even more difficult,lifting of the pier platform from the far end, where lifting might beable to be done most effectively, may not be feasible due to the depthof the water at that pier position.

What is needed in the art is a pier adjusting mechanism that willfacilitate one or two people being able to adjust and level a pierplatform without the need for heavy lifting and without the need to getinto the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a pier adjustment mechanism that could beremovably mounted to a pier post of a pier structure and be able to beused, via a manually-operated lift or jack, in much the same manner as aforklift, to facilitate the lifting and/or lowering of a pier/dockplatform.

The present invention, in one form thereof, relates to a pier comprisingat least one post including a first post, a pier platform, a temporarysupport member, and a platform height adjustment apparatus. The pierplatform is mounted relative to each post, the pier platform having aplatform underside. The temporary support member is selectivelyvertically positioned upon the first post at a temporary, fixedposition. The platform height adjustment apparatus is slidably mountedalong the first post and rests upon the temporary support member. Theplatform height adjustment apparatus includes a platform support memberand a height positioning mechanism. The platform support member supportsthe pier platform, and the height positioning mechanism is configuredfor facilitating a selective vertical positioning of the platformsupport mechanism and, therefore, the pier platform relative to thefirst post.

The present invention, in yet another form thereof, relates to a methodof adjusting a height of a pier platform relative to a pier structure,the pier structure including at least a first post. The method includesthe step of providing a platform height adjustment apparatus, theplatform height adjustment apparatus including a platform support memberand a height positioning mechanism. The platform height adjustmentapparatus is slidably mounted on the first post. The post position ofthe platform height adjustment apparatus is fixed relative to the firstpost, the post position being situated above and proximate the pierplatform. The platform support member is moved into a platformsupporting position relative to the platform. The height positioningmechanism is actuated to thereby one of lower and lift the pierplatform.

An advantage of the present invention is that one or two people caneasily adjust and level a pier platform using the inventive apparatus.

Another advantage of the present invention is that no one needs to getinto the water in order to hold up the platform while the positioning ofvarious pier support members is adjusted.

Yet another advantage of the present invention, in one form thereof, isthat the platform support mechanism can be both hingedly mounted to thepost-receiving tube and provided with an angular-position settingmechanism. As such, the platform support mechanism is able to bepermanently attached to the post-receiving tube while still allowing theplatform support mechanism to be kept out of the way of the pierplatform until it is in an appropriate position to be moved into alocation that will permit it to be used to lift that platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pier structure employing a firstembodiment of a platform height adjustment apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the platformheight adjustment apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the platform heightadjustment apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a pier structure employing a secondembodiment of the platform height adjustment apparatus for the presentinvention, the platform support mechanism being locked in a firstangular position relative to the post-receiving tube;

FIG. 5 is a forward, side, perspective view of the pier structure shownin FIG. 4, with the platform support mechanism being locked in the firstangular position relative to the post-receiving tube;

FIG. 6 is a back, side, perspective view of the pier structure shown inFIG. 1, with the main bracket section of the platform mechanism beinglocked in a second position, essentially parallel to the post-receivingtube;

FIG. 7 is a back, perspective view of the pier structure shown in FIG.6, with the height positioning mechanism shown in its fully extended(i.e., lift) position;

FIG. 8 is a side, schematic view of a second embodiment of a temporarysupport mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom, schematic view of the temporary support mechanismshown in FIG. 8.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrates at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, in oneform, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting thescope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to a pier 10 forfacilitating walking out a distance from shore over a body of water (notshown). Pier 10 of the invention includes multiple posts of which only afirst post 12 is shown, a cross-member 14, a cross-member receiver 16associated with each end of cross-member 14 (one of which is shown inassociation with first post 12 and cross-member 14), a pier platform 18(i.e., pier planking), a temporary support mechanism 20, and a platformheight adjustment apparatus 22 (the first embodiment of which is bestseen in FIGS. 2 and 3).

Posts such as first post 12 are typically vertically mounted within theground or subsurface and extend above the water level, while eachcross-member 14 is horizontally mounted between a pair of posts. Eachpost and cross-member may be round or polygonal in cross-section, aswell as, being hollow or solid. However, it is advantageous to usepiping for the posts and cross-members as piping and related pipefittings are readily available commercially in forms that are bothstrong and corrosion resistant. Strength and corrosion resistance areimportant factors considering that the pier needs to support its ownweight and that of potentially several people and is continually subjectto water and other elements. As such, both factors are of greatimportance in developing a pier that will be long lasting.

Cross-member receiver 16 is positioned at a selected vertical postposition relative to first post 12. Cross-member receivers such ascross-member receiver 16 in conjunction with cross-member 14 facilitatethe support of pier platform 18 relative to the pier posts such as firstpost 12. Cross-member receiver 16 is selectively and adjustablypositioned vertically along first post 12. Pier platform 18 has aplatform underside or perimeter 24 which is able to rest uponcross-member 14.

Temporary support mechanism or member 20 is similar to cross-memberreceiver 16 in both structure and function except that it need notnecessarily have a means for receiving a cross-member 14 therewithin.Temporary support mechanism 20 and cross-member receiver 16 arestructurally similar in that they are both able to be mounted around apost at a selective position thereupon. They are functionally similar inthat they both facilitate the transfer of the weight of pier platform18, is including pier underside 24, to a respective pier post. Thepurpose of temporary support mechanism 20 will be more readily apparentwith the discussion of the structure and operation of platform heightadjustment apparatus 22 (i.e., the pier adjusting mechanism).

Platform height adjustment apparatus 22 of the first embodiment includesa platform support mechanism 26, a post-receiving tube (or cylinder) 28,a base plate 30, and a height positioning (lifting/lowering) mechanism32.

Platform support mechanism or member 26 of the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-3 includes a main bracket section 34, a first (lifting) extension 36,and a second support (lifting) extension 38. Main bracket section 34further includes an upper bracket member 52.

Main bracket section 34 has a main bracket extension direction 40 that,in use, that will be substantially aligned with the post upon whichplatform height adjustment apparatus 22 is mounted (i.e., first post12). First support extension 36 and second support extension 38 aremounted opposite one another on main bracket section 34. First andsecond support extensions 36, 38 are mounted and positioned so as toeffectively be able to function as a forklift member that may straddleboth a post and a corresponding cross-member and to be able tooperatively contact platform underside 24 of pier platform 18 andthereby effectively support the weight of pier platform 18 thereupon.

While first and second support extensions 26, 38 are shown to bepositioned at opposite corners of main bracket section 34, other supportextension configurations are possible that will be within the scope ofthe invention. For example, only one or even three or more supportextensions may be employed on a given main bracket section 34. Inchoosing the size, shape, number, and positioning of the supportextensions to be used, the support extensions to be used must be able tosufficiently support the pier platform to be lifted therewith and thesupport extensions do not interfere with a post and/or cross-memberduring use of platform height adjustment apparatus 22. In fact, it mayprove useful to use wider support extensions that can compensate forpotential weak spots in the pier platform/planking/underside.

Post-receiving tube 28 has a tube interior 42 that is sized and shapedso as to facilitate the slidable mounting of platform height adjustmentapparatus 22 along one of the pier posts, e.g., first post 12. Althoughthe invention utilizes a tube for slidable guiding upon post 12, otherstructures such as rings or plates with holes may be equivalentlyutilized. Through the use of a tube 28 the invention is operative innumerous environments, possibly with differing and various post lengths.

Post-receiving tube 28 has a tube mount 44 associated therewith thatpermits attachment of post-receiving tube 28 to main bracket section 34of platform support mechanism 26 while yet facilitating the sliding ofpost-receiving tube 28 into position along a post without platformsupport mechanism 28 being in the way of such positioning. Tube mount 44may be, for example, a releaseably attachable plate (e.g., bolted), ahinge mount, or alternate connection assembly. Such a tube mount 44permits the positioning of first and second support extensions 36, 38below pier platform 18 for supporting the weight thereof. (If platformsupport mechanism 28 were immovably mounted instead, when slidingplatform height adjustment apparatus 22 down a post, first and secondsupport extensions 36, 38 would come to rest on top of pier platform 18and would not be positionable therebelow as needed for the presentinvention to operate.) At the lower end of post-receiving tube 28 andmounted on opposite sides thereof are rod-receiving cylinders 46, thefunction of which will be discussed later.

Base plate 30 carries height positioning mechanism 32 thereupon. Baseplate 30 has a base though hole 48 therein for receiving a pier posttherethrough. Also, a pair of base rods 50 are mounted on base plate 30on opposite sides of base through-hole 48. Base rods 50 are configuredfor operatively mating with rod-receiving cylinders 46 associated withfirst-receiving tube 28. The interaction of base rods 50 withrod-receiving cylinders 46 allow the relative lateral positioningbetween base plate 30 and first-receiving tube 28 to be maintainedduring the use of platform height adjustment apparatus 22, therebypreventing rotation of tube 28 relative to base plate 30 and assuring asingle degree of freedom (i.e., vertical) therebetween.

Height positioning mechanism 32 facilitates the actual lifting andlowering of pier platform 18. The upper end of height positioningmechanism 32 is attached to tube mount 44, tube mount 44 therebyproviding a connection between post-receiving tube 28 and heightpositioning mechanism 32. The lower end thereof is attached to baseplate 30. Height positioning mechanism 32 is actuateable for controllingdisplacement between base plate 30 and upper bracket member 52 of mainbracket section 34. As base plate 30, upon which height positioningmechanism 32 is mounted, rests upon and is stop limited for movementrelative to a given post by temporary support mechanism 20, actuation ofheight positioning mechanism 32 is effectively able to determine theheight of first and second supports 36, 38 relative to temporary supportmechanism 20 and thereby that of pier platform 18 also. Heightpositioning mechanism 32 advantageously is a lift or jack mechanism.Such a jack may be of the hydraulic, pneumatic, screw, scissor, orequivalent variety.

In operation, base plate 30, via base through-hole 48, andpost-receiving tube 28 are slid down a post (e.g., first post 12) untilbase plate 30 comes into contact with a temporary support mechanism 20mounted on first post 12, temporary support mechanism 20 beingpositioned at a location above cross-member receiver 16 on first post12.

During the initial sliding step, platform support mechanism 26 is heldout of the way until clearance to platform underside 24 can be gainedfor first and second support extensions 36 and 38. Such positioningshould occur at the least by the time base plate 30 engages withtemporary support mechanism 20. If this is not the case, temporarysupport mechanism 20 should be lowered to a point which will allow firstand second support extensions 36, 38 to be received underneath pierplatform 18.

Once first and second support extensions 36, 38 are in position belowpier platform 18, height positioning mechanism 32 is actuated so as tobring first and second support extensions 36, 38 into an operativelysupporting position for pier platform 18. When such engagement hasoccurred, platform height adjustment apparatus 22 is supporting theweight of pier platform 18 (FIG. 3) and can thereby be used to lift pierplatform 18 to a new desired location, with the position of cross-memberreceiver 16 and associated cross-member 14 being adjusted upwardly.Conversely, once such engagement has occurred, the position ofcross-member 14 and associated cross-receiver 16 could be adjusteddownwardly, with pier platform 18 then being lowered using platformheight adjustment apparatus 22. After the desired adjustment is madeplatform support mechanism 26 can be moved out of the way, allowing theremainder of the platform height adjustment apparatus 22 to be removedfrom the post.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.4-7. Platform height adjustment apparatus 60 is the same as platformheight adjustment apparatus 22 in the first embodiment except thatplatform height adjustment apparatus 60 includes a handle 62, a hingeattachment mechanism 64, and an angular positioning mechanism 66. As theother elements are essentially the same between the two embodiments, itis only these distinguishing features that will be discussed in detailherein.

Handle 62 is mounted to post-receiving tube 28. As such, handle 62facilitates the carrying of platform height adjustment apparatus to andfrom a given pier. While handle 62 is shown to be welded topost-receiving tube 28, it is understood that handle 62 could beattached by other means (e.g., threaded fastener) or could be integrallyformed with post-receiving tube 28.

Angular position setting mechanism 66 includes a lockpin mechanism 68and a lockpin receiver 70. Lockpin mechanism 68 is attached to mainbracket section 54 of platform mechanism 26 via a pin attachment 72. Alockpin receiver 70, on the other hand, is fixedly attached (e.g.,welded) to lift plate 74 associated with height positioning mechanism32. Lockpin receiver 70 includes a first lock position 76 and a secondlock position 78. Via use of hinge attachment 64, main bracket section34 can be selectively moved such that lockpin mechanism 68 is adjacentto one of first lock position 76 and second lock position 78.

The use of first lock position 76 and second lock position 78 isdictated by the relative position desired for first and second extension36, 38 with respect to pier platform 18 (as shown in FIG. 1). Asplatform height adjustment apparatus 60 is being moved onto and downpost 12 and lift extension 36, 38 are still above pier underside 24 ofpier platform 18, lockpin mechanism 68 is advantageously selectivelyactuated into first lock position 76. In such a position, extension 36,38 are locked in an angular location that will facilitate theirclearance beyond pier platform 18 until the point which they can reachpier underside 24.

Once in a position where extension 36, 38 can reach pier underside 24,lockpin mechanism 68 can then be disengaged to allow movement of mainbracket section into a position in which lockpin mechanism 68 can thenbe selectively inserted into second lock position 78. By using lockpinmechanism 68 in each of first and second lock positions 76, 78,respectively, platform support mechanism 26 can be assuredly locked intoa desired position. Such selective position locking makes it easier towork with platform height adjustment apparatus 60 and helps to maintainthe desired position of platform support mechanism 26 (especially whenset in the pier lifting mode of second lock position 78).

Together FIGS. 4-7 show the various stages of use of platform heightapparatus 60 with respect to a pier 10. Specifically, FIGS. 4 and 5 showthe lowering of platform height adjustment apparatus 60 along a pierpost 12. Next, FIG. 6 shows platform support mechanism 26 being movedinto a position in which support extensions 36, 38 are able to extendbelow pier platform 18 and are ready to lift against pier underside 24.Finally, FIG. 7 shows height positioning mechanism 32 in its extended orlift mode in which the level of support extensions 36, 38 and pierplatform 18 (not shown in this view) are correspondingly raised.

Temporary support mechanism 80 (FIGS. 8 and 9) can be used in lieu oftemporary support mechanism 20 as a means of supporting a particularplatform height adjustment apparatus (e.g., 22 or 60). Temporary supportmechanism or member 80 includes a clamp member 82, a support memberplate 84, and a plate supporting extension 86.

Clamp member 82 includes a first clamp portion 88 and a second clampportion 90 along with a pair of threaded fastener combinations 92.Together the elements of clamp member 82 are able to facilitate theclamping of clamp member 82 relative to post 12. Such fixturing therebyallows temporary support mechanism 80 to hold a specified positionrelative to post 12, even when subjected to the load of the pierplatform 18 via the use of a given platform height adjustment apparatus22, 60.

Advantageously, one of first clamp portion 88 and second clamp portion90 is mechanically joined or welded/soldered to support member plate 84to increase the stability offered by temporary support mechanism 80. Yetfurther advantageously, second clamp portion 90 is attached to supportmember plate 84, and plate supporting extension 86 is also joined orpermanently molded with each of second clamp portion 90 and supportmember plate 84. Such joining or molding of these three parts 84, 86,and 90 together further increases the stability of temporary supportmechanism 80 (e.g., its resistance to twisting and/or bending) andultimately its ability to withstand the load created by pier platform18. It is to be understood that, while it is advantageous to join and/ormold one of clamp portions 80, 90 with at least one of support memberplate 84 and plate supporting extension 86, the other such clamp portion88, 90 must be releasably connectable to the other clamp portion half inorder for temporary support mechanism 80 to be releasably connected uponpost 12.

Support member plate 84 is provided to offer greater and more stablesupport for a given platform height adjustment apparatus 22, 60 (notshown in FIG. 8 or 9) and most particularly for base plate 30 (shown inphantom in FIG. 8) resting directly thereupon. Support member plate 84includes a first plate side 94 and a second plate side 96. Clamp member82 and plate supporting extension 86 are mounted relative to first plateside 94, while second plate side 96 receives first plate 30 of platformheight adjustment apparatus 22, 60 thereupon. The provision of platesupporting extension 86 help plate 84 resist bending under the weightplaced thereupon by platform height adjustment apparatus 22, 60.

Furthermore, support member plate 84 is provided with a post-receivingthrough-hole 98 and a plurality of platform height adjustment apparatusattachment through-holes 100. Through-holes 100 facilitate theattachment of plates 30, 84 via, e.g., threaded fasteners or potentiallyvia a means as simple as individual pull straps threaded through therespective holes. The ability to attach plates 80, 84 together furtherincreases the overall mount stability and reduces the potential degreesof freedom of movement relative to one another during loading. The useof other temporary connection members therebetween which do not requirethrough-holes 100, such as C-clamps, is also contemplated and isconsidered within the scope of the present invention.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. A pier, comprising: at least one post including a first post; a pierplatform mounted relative to each said post, said pier platform having aplatform underside; a temporary support member selectively verticallypositioned upon said first post at a temporary, fixed position; and aplatform height adjustment apparatus slidably mounted along said firstpost and resting upon said temporary support member, said platformheight adjustment apparatus including a platform support member and aheight positioning mechanism, said platform support member supportingsaid pier platform, said height positioning mechanism configured forfacilitating a selective vertical positioning of said platform supportmechanism and, therefore, said pier platform relative to said firstpost.
 2. The pier of claim 1, wherein said platform support memberincludes at least a first support extension, said first supportextension extending under said pier platform and operatively contactingsaid platform underside.
 3. The pier of claim 2, wherein said platformsupport member further includes a second support extension, said secondsupport extension being located opposite said first support extensionrelative to said first post, said second support extension extendingunder said pier platform and operatively contacting said platformunderside.
 4. The pier of claim 2, wherein said platform support memberincludes a main bracket section positioned adjacent said first post,said first support extension mounted substantially perpendicularly tosaid main bracket section.
 5. The pier of claim 1, wherein said platformheight adjustment apparatus includes a post-receiving tube mountedthereon for facilitating the slidable mounting thereof upon a given saidpost.
 6. The pier of claim 1, wherein said height positioning mechanismis a jack apparatus.
 7. The pier of claim 6, wherein said jack apparatusis one of a scissors jack, a screw jack, a hydraulic jack, and apneumatic jack.
 8. The pier of claim 1, wherein said platform heightadjustment apparatus further includes a post-receiving tube and a baseplate, said post receiving tube being one of hingedly mounted andselectively removably mounted to said platform support member, said baseplate being slidably mounted relative to said post-receiving tube, saidheight positioning mechanism being mounted to said base plate and tosaid platform support member, said base plate resting upon saidtemporary support member.
 9. The pier of claim 8, wherein said baseplate and said platform support member are selectively separatedvertically relative to one another via operation of said heightpositioning mechanism.
 10. The pier of claim 1, further comprising across-member receiver positioned on said first post at a selectedvertical post position relative thereto, said cross-member receiverbeing configured for receiving a pier cross-member therein, saidcross-member receiving further being configured for selected verticalpositioning along said first post.
 11. A platform height adjustmentapparatus for adjusting a height of a pier platform relative to a piersupport structure, the pier support structure including at least a firstpier post, the first pier post having a temporary support member mountedthereon, said platform height adjustment apparatus comprising: apost-receiving tube configured for facilitating the slidable mountingthereof upon the first post; a platform support member configured forsupporting said pier platform, said post-receiving tube being one ofhingedly mounted and selectively removably mounted to said platformsupport member; and a height positioning mechanism configured forfacilitating a selective vertical positioning of said platform supportmechanism and thereby capable of adjusting a position of the pierplatform relative to the first post.
 12. The platform height adjustmentapparatus of claim 11, wherein said platform support member includes atleast a first support extension, said first support extension foroperatively extending under the pier platform.
 13. The platform heightadjustment apparatus of claim 12, wherein said platform support memberfurther includes a second support extension, said second supportextension being located opposite said first support extension relativeto said first post, said second support extension for operativelyextending under the pier platform.
 14. The platform height adjustmentapparatus of claim 12, wherein said platform support member includes amain bracket section positionable adjacent said first post, said firstsupport extension mounted substantially perpendicularly to said mainbracket section.
 15. The platform height adjustment apparatus of claim11, wherein said height positioning mechanism is a jack apparatus. 16.The platform height adjustment apparatus of claim 15, wherein said jackapparatus is one of a scissors jack, a screw jack, a hydraulic jack, anda pneumatic jack.
 17. The platform height adjustment apparatus of claim11, further including a base plate slidably mounted relative to saidpost-receiving tube, said height positioning mechanism being mounted tosaid base plate and to said platform support member, said base platebeing configured for resting upon the temporary support member.
 18. Theplatform height adjustment apparatus of claim 16, wherein said baseplate and said platform support member are selectively separatedvertically relative to one another via operation of said heightpositioning mechanism.
 19. A method of adjusting a height of a pierplatform relative to a pier structure, the pier structure including atleast a first post, the method comprising the steps of: providing aplatform height adjustment apparatus, the a platform height adjustmentapparatus including a platform support member and a height positioningmechanism; slidably mounting a platform height adjustment apparatus onthe first post; fixing a post position of said platform heightadjustment apparatus relative to the first post, the post position beingsituated above and proximate the pier platform; moving said platformsupport member into a platform supporting position relative to theplatform; and actuating said height positioning mechanism to thereby oneof lower and lift the pier platform.
 20. A pier, comprising: at leastone post including a first post; a pier platform mounted relative toeach said post, said pier platform having a platform underside; atemporary support member selectively vertically positioned upon saidfirst post at a temporary, fixed position; and a platform heightadjustment apparatus slidably mounted along said first post andselectably restable upon said temporary support member, said platformheight adjustment apparatus including: a platform support memberconfigured for engaging said platform underside and thereby supportingsaid pier platform; and a height positioning mechanism slidably mountedalong said first post and hingedly mounted to said platform member, saidheight positioning mechanism being configured for facilitating aselective vertical positioning of said platform support member and,therefore, said pier platform relative to said first post, said platformsupport member being selectably lockable in one of a first angularposition and a second angular position relative to said heightadjustment mechanism.
 21. The pier of claim 20, wherein said platformsupport member includes at least a first support extension, said firstsupport extension extending under said pier platform and operativelycontacting said platform underside.
 22. The pier of claim 21, whereinsaid platform support member includes a main bracket section positionedadjacent said first post, said first support extension mountedsubstantially perpendicularly to said main bracket section.
 23. The pierof claim 20, wherein said platform height adjustment apparatus includesa post-receiving tube mounted thereon for facilitating the slidablemounting thereof upon a given said post.
 24. The pier of claim 20,wherein said height positioning mechanism is a jack apparatus.
 25. Thepier of claim 20, wherein said platform height adjustment apparatusfurther includes a post-receiving tube and a base plate, said base platebeing slidably mounted relative to said post-receiving tube, said heightpositioning mechanism being mounted to said base plate and to saidplatform support member, said temporary support member acting as a stoplimit for movement of said base plate along said post.
 26. The pier ofclaim 25, wherein said base plate and said platform support member areselectively separated vertically relative to one another via operationof said height positioning mechanism.
 27. The pier of claim 20, furthercomprising a cross-member receiver positioned on said first post at aselected vertical post position relative thereto, said cross-memberreceiver being configured for receiving a pier cross-member thereon,said cross-member receiver further being configured for selectedvertical positioning along said first post.
 28. The pier of claim 20,wherein said first angular position facilitates movement of said heightadjustment mechanism along said first post and into contact with saidtemporary support member, said second angular position facilitatingengagement of said platform support mechanism with said platformunderside.
 29. The pier of claim 20, further comprising a handleattached to said platform height adjustment apparatus.
 30. The pier ofclaim 29, wherein said platform height adjustment apparatus includes apost-receiving tube, said handle being mounted thereto.
 31. The pier ofclaim 20, wherein said temporary support member includes: a clamp memberreleasably fixed to said first post; and a support member plate affixedupon said clamp member, said support member plate being configured forreceiving said height positioning mechanism thereupon, said supportmember plate further having a post-receiving through-hole therein. 32.The pier of claim 30, wherein said support member plate has a firstplate side and an opposing second plate side, said first plate sidefacing said clamp member, said temporary support member furtherincluding a plate supporting extension mounted to said clamp member andto said first plate side of said support member plate.
 33. The pier ofclaim 30, wherein said support member plate is at least one ofreleasably and temporarily attachable to a portion of said heightpositioning mechanism.
 34. A platform height adjustment apparatus foradjusting a height of a pier platform relative to a pier supportstructure, the pier support structure including at least a first pierpost, the first pier post having a temporary support member mountedthereon, said platform height adjustment apparatus comprising: apost-receiving tube configured for facilitating a slidable mountingthereof upon the first post; a platform support member configured forsupporting said pier platform, said post-receiving tube being hingedlymounted to said platform support member, said platform support memberbeing selectably lockable in one of a first angular position and asecond angular position relative to said post-receiving tube; and aheight positioning mechanism configured for facilitating a selectivevertical positioning of said platform support mechanism and therebybeing capable of adjusting a position of the pier platform relative tothe first post.
 35. The platform height adjustment apparatus of claim34, wherein said platform support member includes at least a firstsupport extension, said first support extension for operativelyextending under the pier platform.
 36. The platform height adjustmentapparatus of claim 35, wherein said platform support member includes amain bracket section positionable adjacent said first post, said firstsupport extension mounted substantially perpendicularly to said mainbracket section.
 37. The platform height adjustment apparatus of claim34, wherein said height positioning mechanism is a jack apparatus. 38.The platform height adjustment apparatus of claim 34, further includinga base plate slidably mounted relative to said post-receiving tube, saidheight positioning mechanism being mounted to said base plate and tosaid platform support member, the temporary support member acting as astop limit for movement of said base plate along said post.
 39. Theplatform height adjustment apparatus of claim 38, wherein said baseplate and said platform support member are selectively separatedvertically relative to one another via operation of said heightpositioning mechanism.
 40. The platform height adjustment apparatus ofclaim 34, further comprising a handle connected to said post-receivingtube.
 41. A pier, comprising: at least one post including a first post;a pier platform mounted relative to each said post, said pier platformhaving a platform underside; a temporary support member selectivelyvertically positioned upon said first post at a temporary, fixedposition said temporary, support member including: a clamp memberreleasably fixed to said first post; a support member plate affixed uponsaid clamp member; and a platform height adjustment apparatus slidablymounted along said first post and selectably restable upon said supportmember plate of said temporary support member, said platform heightadjustment apparatus including a platform support member and a heightpositioning mechanism, said platform support member supporting said pierplatform, said height positioning mechanism configured for facilitatinga selective vertical positioning of said platform support mechanism and,therefore, said pier platform relative to said first post.
 42. The pierof claim 41, wherein said support member plate has a first plate sideand an opposing second plate side, said first plate side facing saidclamp member, said temporary support member further including a platesupporting extension mounted to said clamp member and to said firstplate side of said support member plate.
 43. The pier of claim 41,wherein said support member plate is at least one of releasably andtemporarily attachable to a portion of said height positioningmechanism.